General - Free resources
Research
- Innovation in teaching and learning in vocational education and training: international perspectives [2009]
(Source: NCVER)
This publication explores both the characteristics and examples of innovative teaching and learning practice internationally. It found that technologies can be used to support networks of practitioners and resource banks to foster better professional practice and help practitioners exchange ideas and resources. In addition, it is important for practitioners to be able to step back from their 'daily grind' to think about what they can do differently and how. They need to be supported to test out new resources and pedagogies in a culture of active experimentation. - Learning and teaching in initial vocational education and training [2000]
(Source: NCVER)
This report looks at students' and teachers' perceptions of initial VET. It also reveals how students engage in learning in education and training, provides a description of current teaching practices, and shows the influences which shape learning and teaching in initial VET. - Learning styles in the age of differentiated instruction [article, 2010]
(Source: Exceptionality: A Special Education Journal, Taylor and Francis)
The concept of learning styles has tremendous logical and intuitive appeal, and educators' desire to focus on learning styles is understandable. Recently, a growing emphasis on differentiated instruction may have further increased teachers' tendency to look at learning styles as an instructionally relevant variable when individualizing instruction in increasingly heterogeneous classrooms. We discuss the overlapping concepts of individualized instruction and differentiated instruction, briefly review the evidence base for learning styles, and argue that instruction should indeed be individualized and differentiated. We conclude that there is insufficient evidence, however, to support learning styles as an instructionally useful concept when planning and delivering appropriately individualized and differentiated instruction. - Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY)
A study that follows young Australians over 10 years, from their mid-teens to mid-twenties, as they move through school to further study, work and beyond. - NCVER statistical collection - Students and courses
Data on all Australian VET activity, including enrolments, completions and funding. - NCVER survey - National Student Outcomes
Survey of VET graduate outcomes from and satisfaction with Australia's national training system. - Regenerating the Australian landscape of professional VET practice: practitioner-driven changes to teaching and learning [2009]
(Source: NCVER)
This publication explores both the characteristics and examples of innovative teaching and learning practice in Australia. It is based on discussions with practitioners and vocational education and training (VET) managers responsible for teaching and learning. It examines why and how people are changing their pedagogy, and with what results. - Students' suggestions for improving their vocational education and training experience [2009]
(Source: NCVER)
An analysis of student verbatim responses in the Student Outcome Survey provides suggestions for how the vocational education and training (VET) system could be improved. Eight major domains are discussed: course relevance and design; staff attributes and behaviours; teaching and learning practices; access to courses; facilities and services; assessment practices; learning resources; equipment and materials; initial information provision; and administration and learning support services.
Focus on practice
- A collection of research-led, higher education resources and guidance materials for academics, graduate researchers and policy makers [2020]
(Source: Melbourne Centre for the Study of Higher Education)
Although pitched at higher education practitioners, many of these resources could be useful across all tertiary education context. The range of resources available here includes short practical guides, longer guides, discussion papers and reports and weblinks. This collection is organised into the following areas: Teaching, learning and assessment; Student experience and wellbeing; International education; Engagement; Policy and management; Archived publications. - COVID-19: resources for the higher education sector [2020]
(Source: National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education, Curtin University) - Good practice in VET teaching and learning: a guide to practitioner perspectives [2017]
(Source: Victorian Department of Education and Training)
This guide provides information about, and examples of, good practice in teaching and learning for VET providers. It was commissioned by the Department of Education and Training (DET) and developed by drawing on the wide and varied experiences of VET practitioners working in the government-subsidised training market in Victoria. - Faculty focus: higher ed teaching strategies [US]
(Source: Magna Publications)
A series of free reports focusing on what works and what doesn't when it comes to teaching, learning and leading - both in the traditional classroom and online. - ADCET/NCSEHE webinar: Supporting students' wellbeing during COVID-19: tips from regional and remote Australia [2020]
(Source: Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training/National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education)
This ADCET webinar was delivered in partnership with the NCSEHE at Curtin University. Cathy Stone and Nicole Crawford look at research findings that inform understanding of ways to support students' wellbeing and success, in the context of learning and teaching online. - Teaching in the VET sector in Australia [2014]
This book provides an in-depth exploration of both the theory and the practice of teaching in the vocational education and training (VET) sector in Australia. Each chapter invites the reader to reflect on their own practice and offers practical examples and case stories to assist the teacher to develop their own professional expertise. - TAE40110 -Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (Learning Design) book of readings [2016]
(Source: MRWED Training and Assessment)
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- Specialised RTO Services
This is a directory listing site where providers of products and services for RTOs can list their materials, resources and advice. RTOs can search for products and services to support their work. - Thoughtful Works
Provision of workshops, facilitation and coaching in areas including: engaging learners; vulnerable learners; supporting VET teachers in teaching and learning practice; professionalizing the practice of adult educators; and the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL).
Examples of workshops:- Accommodating students with dyslexia and other specific learning differences
- Advanced teacher/trainer facilitation
This workshop facilitates reflection on practice, testing of familiar habits and investigation of research-based teaching strategies. - Developing assessments that suit all levels of learning
- Developing student voice to improve teaching and learning
- Developing students as learners
- Effective feedback: the what, why, when and how
- How to teach the essential skills and capabilities
- Engaging learners
Learn effective strategies to ensure your students are engaged in learning as well as progressing - Managing challenging behaviours
- Successful ways to engage and support disadvantaged learners
Identify barriers and share strategies to progress student learning and achievement using a solution-based approach - Teaching essentials - growing educators
This workshop addresses the core essentials of teaching such as planning, getting feedback, instruction methods and building a community of learners. - The impact of trauma on learning
- The new educator
Understand what learning looks like for the 21st century and move your practice into a new space of collaboration and activation. Create a positive and strong learning culture to engage educators in contemporary teaching pedagogy and practice. - VCAL workshops
Literacy, assessment, principles, integrated projects
Adult learning - Free resources
Focus on practice
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Competency based education and training - Free resources
Research
- Competency based education and training: a world perspective [2000]
(Source: VOCEDplus)
This book examines the implementation of competency based education in some of those countries, including Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Cost Rica, South Africa and France. - Competency-based learning [book chapter, Canada, 2015]
(Source: Teaching in a digital age: guidelines for designing teaching and learning, BC Open Textbooks) - The problematic role of CBT in Australian VET [paper, 2018]
(Source: University of Melbourne)
For many who work in the system, CBT is the only curriculum model they know for vocational education. This discussion describes the attractions of CBT to make clear that the architects of training reform had good reason to make CBT the cornerstone of a new system. This survey is followed by a systematic look at criticisms and shortcomings of CBT as articulated by researchers and other stakeholders. Finally, two questions are presented which would be useful to ponder in any attempt to shift away from CBT. - Working with a competency-based Training Package: a contextual investigation from the perspective of a group of TAFE teachers [article, 2015]
(Source: International Journal of Training Research, Taylor and Francis)
Reforms in the Australian VET landscape have generated significant interest in the changes to the delivery and nature of formal (off-the-job) training provided by RTOs. In this study, despite the reticence to change their pedagogy, the teachers capitalized upon the inherent flexibility in the Training Package framework to tailor and create opportunities for apprentices to apply and contextualize their knowledge and skills to realistic workplace tasks.
Focus on practice
- 12 steps for implementing competency-based training [online article, 2018]
(Source: eLearning Industry) - A guide to writing competency based training materials [2003]
(Source: National Volunteers Skills Centre)
This guidebook is written as an application focused reference for novice and veteran trainers, working in the not-for-profit sectors, who develop or deliver competency based materials or learning activities. - Clustering units of competency: a guide to how to cluster for delivery and assessment [1st, 2nd, and 3rd editions]
(Source: Western Australian Department of Training and Workforce Development)
In order to meet clients' needs and maximise outcomes, registered training organisations (RTOs) need to develop processes and products that focus on the quality of the learning and assessment experience. The purpose of this publication is to provide RTOs with guidance about how to use clustering to improve delivery and assessment practice. - Competency-based training (CBT): an introductory manual for practitioners [international, 2020]
(Source: UNICEF, ILO)
The manual provides guidance on how to plan, design, implement and evaluate competency-based training (CBT) and assessment. Based on a clear sequence of 16 steps, it is expected to serve as an introduction to CBT for practitioners and a reference for future training of curricula designers, instructors and assessors. - Competency based training: how to do it - for trainers: a guide for teachers and trainers on approaches to competency based training [1993]
(Source: VEETAC) - Employability skills: from framework to practice: an introductory guide for trainers and assessors [2006]
(Source: Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training)
This resource is written specifically for individuals who provide competency based training and assessment in the VET sector. In addition to explaining what employability skills are, it outlines how they have been included in training packages. - Fact sheets
- Getting started with competency-based training (CBT) [2018]
(Source: eLearning Industry) - Practical guide to using training packages [2000]
(Source: South Australian Department of Education, Training and Employment)
The CD ROM is designed to provide practitioners with background information about training packages and case studies and examples of the ways in which training packages may be used in a variety of training contexts. The CD ROM is both IBM and Apple Macintosh compatible.
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- Velg Training Learner Motivation Manual template
Use this Learner Motivation Manual as part of your RTO’s response to Standard 1.7, ‘Support learners’. This document is designed to encourage students throughout their learning journey, and to motivate them toward achieving their study goals with your RTO.
Problem based learning - Free resources
Research
Focus on practice
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Teaching digital skills - Free resources
Research
- Developing digital competences of vocational teachers [book chapter, Switzerland, 2018]
The main goal of the research presented is to develop a conceptual framework for teachers' professional development focused on digital competencies in vocational schools. See publisher's website for citation details. - Digital competence and professional development of vocational education and training teachers in Queensland [thesis, 2016]
Using a mixed methods approach, this thesis investigated the current digital teaching capacities of VET teachers and how current professional development opportunities are helping to address their learning needs. - Digital skills cross sector project: case for change [2017]
This project looked across a number of Training Packages to identify qualifications, skill sets and units of competency impacted by digital analytic/diagnostic skills, additive manufacturing (3D printing) skills, and programming/coding skills. The case for change includes recommendations to review and update 10 existing qualifications and 211 existing digital units from Training Packages within the scope of this project. It also recommends the undertaking of further cross sector work to examine the skill needs of Industry 4.0 and the potential impact on Training Packages. - Levelling up: the quest for digital literacy [Canada, 2018]
This report maps the digital literacy education and training landscape in Canada. It highlights the types of digital skills that people in Canada are pursuing, sheds light on barriers to access, and identifies existing gaps and potential opportunities to improve the development and supply of digital literacy skills. - Preparing for Industry 4.0: will digital skills be enough? [2018]
This research arose from work commissioned by the Australian Industry and Skills Committee - in the form of a cross sector project looking at the need for digital skills in a range of manufacturing and related industries. This report synthesises the research evidence - in relation to both digital skills and the broader challenges of skilling workers for the Industry 4.0 workplace. - Skilling for digital disruption and the future of work [webinar, 2018]
This webinar will explore the vocational education and training implications of digital disruption in our future workplaces. The presenters will discuss the drivers changing the world of work, the skills we're predicted to need in the future and what this means for training. The presentation will consider a forthcoming NCVER research report that investigates the training implications of disruptive technologies associated with Industry 4.0, from the perspective of technology producers (innovators) and technology users (industry). - Skilling the Australian workforce for the digital economy [2019]
This study explored the current digital skills demand and supply situation in Australia's workforce. The research investigated the skills impact of digitalisation on two industry sectors - transport and logistics, and public safety and correctional services - as well as the wider workforce. The research culminated in a proposed Australian workplace digital skills framework to help identify digital skills gaps among Australian industries and workforces to enable the development of appropriate training programs. - What digital skills do adults need to succeed in the workplace now and in the next 10 years? [UK, 2018]
The aim of the evidence brief is to collate the evidence as comprehensively and systematically as possible to address this policy question. The brief outlines current definitions of general digital skills and highlights the current and possible future digital skills and competencies likely to be valued by the labour market. Three case study sectors - health and social care, culture and creative industries and financial services - are considered in light of current digital skill needs and developing digital skill requirements.
Focus on practice
- Delivering digital skills: a guide to preparing the workforce for an inclusive digital economy [UK, 2018]
This guide has been created to help policymakers who have been tasked with finding ways to upskill the workforce. It includes ten case studies from around the world that have been designed and implemented to provide digital skills to adults. Each one contains insights that can be used to address policy challenges. - Digital skills toolkit [international, 2018]
This toolkit provides stakeholders with guidance on developing a digital skills strategy. It is intended for policymakers, along with partners in the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and academia. - Essential Digital Skills Framework [UK, 2018]
This framework has been designed to support providers, organisations and employers across the UK who offer training for adults to secure their essential digital skills. The frameworks sets out five categories of essential digital skills for life and work.- Scotland's Essential Digital Skills toolkit [2019]
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) has developed this toolkit to help you make practical use of the Essential Digital Skills Framework. It contains simple checklists for measuring Foundation Skills and Essential Skills, and guidance on how to interpret the results.
- Foundation Skills for Your Future program: Digital Literacy Skills Framework, April 2020
(Source: Commonwealth Department of Education, Skills and Employment)
This Framework has been developed to support the Foundation Skills for your Future Commonwealth Government Program 2019. - Good practice guides [added 10 June, 2020]
(Source: NCVER) - Incorporating digital skills into VET: No Frills 2020
This page hosts tweets from the second session focused on VET educators, which examined the implications for VET educators of the increasing need to include digital skills in VET delivery. The focus session was based on NCVER's two good practice guides mentioned in the entry above. - Teaching digital skills in your course
The University of Queensland Library offers this Digital Essential suite of modules to support academics to develop their students' digital literacy.
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Work-based learning - Free resources
Research
- The hidden classroom of the workplace: how employees learn at work in both formal and informal ways [US, 2014]
- The workplace learning examples described in this report are taken from real portfolios by working adults participating in LearningCounts. The examples show how the workplace can, and does, serve as a learning laboratory for workers, suggesting that employers might benefit from understanding more about how this learning laboratory can contribute to the organization.
- Work-based learning and work-integrated learning: fostering engagement with employers [2016]
(Source: NCVER)
Work-based learning and the inclusion of the world of work into tertiary students' learning lie at the heart of the Australian VET system. Despite the strong emphasis of work-based learning in post-secondary education, both VET providers and universities faces challenges when it comes to engaging industry and employers in these educational provisions. This research synthesis draws on the literature on work-based learning and work-integrated learning to identify how engagement with industry and employers can be fostered, and what the two sectors can learn from each other.
Focus on practice
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- Global perspectives on work-based learning initiatives [book, 2019]
(Source: IGI Global)
This publication provides research on recent progress in selected countries across the globe in educational programs designed to better prepare students for the workforce through the use of work-related learning.